Neilson Powless

California native Neilson Powless began his cycling career with the Hagens Berman Axeon development team, quickly establishing himself as one of the top American prospects. In 2016, he won the Joe Martin Stage Race, finished as best young rider in the Tour of California, and won the time trial at the Tour de Beauce. A mountain top stage victory in the Tour de l'Avenir ahead of riders like Egan Bernal, David Gaudi, Tao Geoghegan Hart and Jai Hindley put him on the radar of the top teams. Further successes the following year - a time trial at Le Triptyque des Monts et Chateaux, the GP Palio del Recioto and a stage of the Baby Giro raised his stakes further.

He was ready to sign a contract with Jonathan Vaughters' Slipstream outfit for 2018 but the deal fell through amid the team's struggle for survival, and he signed with Team LottoNl-Jumbo for two seasons. With Oneida heritage, he became the first recognized Native North American to race the Tour de France in 2019.
Powless signed with Vaughters' team when his neo-pro contract ended and has remained with the team, enjoying his breakthrough victory in the San Sebastian Classic in 2021. He came within four seconds of leading the Tour de France in 2022, and scored a late season win at the Japan Cup. In early 2023, he took victories in the GP la Marseillaise and Etoile de Bessèges. During the Tour de France, he wore the polka dot jersey for 12 stages.